THE LION KING Brings Special Pop-Up Exhibit to Bryant Park, 12/1-16

'Inside The Lion King,' the first immersive, pop-up exhibit ever created for a Broadway show, arrives adjacent to Bryant Park, on 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas, for a limited time to celebrate 15 years of The Lion King in New York City. More than 65 million people have experienced The Lion King, but never before like this. In this free exhibit, fans of all ages will experience and interact with 86 museum-quality artifacts including hand-made puppets, sculpted masks, elaborate artisan costumes and extraordinary sets that have appeared in productions from around the world.

Since the show opened in 1997, there have been countless requests to see more of the inspiration and evolution behind Disney's groundbreaking show; 'Inside The Lion King," provides fans with that opportunity. In addition to displays of early concept materials and sketches, most items featured in the 5,000 square foot exhibit, have been used in the show or will be when the exhibit concluded. Visitors will be able to get up close with items, ranging from an 8" shadow-puppet to a 13' tall elephant and a 17' tall ostrich, all of which reveal the intricate design and detail that are the fruition of Julie Taymor's Tony® Award-winning artistry and vision.Additionally, touch screen tablet stations will allow fans to explore what inspired the creator's imaginations in crafting the artistic elements that appear in the show, above and beyond what is displayed in the exhibit.

Fans can bring their vivid memories of 'Inside The Lion King' home with them. The experience will allow guests to figuratively step through the show's proscenium curtain, providing unique photo opportunities with a 5' Wildebeest mask, Madame Tussaud's wax portraits of Rafiki and Scar and the show's iconic circle image of the sun, the thematic representation of "The Circle of Life," just to name a few.

In a series of special weekend workshops, Disney teaching artists will be on-site to share an insider's look into the music, dance, design and story that form one the most successful musicals in Broadway history.

December 16th, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM - 4:30 PMDesign- Explore the artistry of The Lion King and create an original mask.

*Workshops can be enjoyed by adults and children over the age of 6. All children must be accompanied by a guardian.

Special edition exhibition merchandise and tickets to the Broadway productions of The Lion King, Newsies and Mary Poppins will be available for purchase at the exhibit.Located at 1095 Avenue of the Americas on the corner of 42nd Street, the exhibit will be open free to the public from 10AM – 8PM daily, December 1-16. For more information and event schedules, visit lionking.com/exhibit.

As it enters its 16th year, The Lion King remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 20 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 66 million people, grossed over $5 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 96 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is the fifth longest-running musical in Broadway history and only the second show in history to generate five productions running 10 or more years. Translated into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese), the show has been performed in 15 different countries on five continents. Continuing to reign as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour in North America, in London's West End and on tour in the UK, in Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo and on tour in Japan.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year, the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design and seven 2012 Spanish Musical Theatre Awards, including Best Musical.

On stage, Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for The Lion King. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowland."